A Summer of Innovation
Ice Cube, whose legal name is O'Shea Jackson Sr., started the BIG3 as a summer 3‑on‑3 league that gives retired NBA players a stage to stay competitive.
Since its debut in 2017, the league has grown from eight teams to eight city‑based franchises, with plans to add more markets and eventually reach sixteen teams, a vision Ice Cube describes as bringing basketball to new regions between June and September.
The competition is distinguished by inventive rules such as “Bring the Fire,” which lets teams contest fouls for extra points, and four‑point shots that stretch the game’s strategy, while coaches like Michael Cooper, Julius Erving, Gary Payton, Nancy Lieberman and Nick Young add star power to the sidelines.
Playoff Action Begins
The ninth season’s playoffs begin on August 15 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, featuring teams such as the Dallas Power, Chicago Triplets, Boston Ball Hogs and Miami 305, and will culminate in the championship game on August 22 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Player Respect and Innovation
Many former NBA stars now view the BIG3 as a legitimate extension of their careers, no longer dismissed for age but celebrated for their skill, while the league’s experimental rules keep the game fresh and engaging.